Lawyer Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Lawyers in Melbourne earn a median salary of $112,451 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $90,500 and $165,000. That sits 25% above Melbourne's all-roles median of $90,000. Figures are based on 39 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 60th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +8 listings vs last month
💰 Lawyer · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$90,500 – $165,000
Median: $112,451
Jun $125k
Jul $112k
↓ Trending down

Based on 2-month data, short-term movement only.

Mid level $94,750 – $136,500
Senior level $100,000 – $185,000
Overall $90k–$165k Mid $94k–$136k Senior $100k–$185k $87k $108k $128k $149k $169k $190k
Moderate confidence 39 listings (+8 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 39 job listings for this role and city, 90.0% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 32.5% stated a salary directly. The remaining 67.5% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

Where does your salary sit?
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Bottom 10%  $90,500 Median  $112,451 $165,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

The median fell $12,500 to $112,000, making Melbourne the weakest lawyer market of the three majors, behind Brisbane at $130,000 and Sydney at $125,000. That is a striking position for a city with Melbourne's legal sector, and the drop came while listings actually rose from 31 to 39. The senior band runs $100,000 to $185,000 on 15 listings against a mid band of $94,000 to $136,000 on 20. Only 33% of listings stated a salary, so the decline is a signal rather than a precise figure.

Take Home Pay (based on median $112,451)

Weekly (net)
~$1,600
Monthly (net)
~$6,932
Annual (net)
~$83,188
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $125,382

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Lawyer in Melbourne?
The $90,000 floor covers graduate and junior solicitor roles in the first two years post-admission. Practical Legal Training and admission are baseline, so practice area is the differentiator. Property, insurance and personal injury sit at the lower end, with commercial litigation and corporate above.
Is $112,451 a good salary in Melbourne?
Yes locally, but it is the weakest major market. At $112,000 a lawyer earns 24.9% above Melbourne's all-roles median of $90,000, with take-home near $1,600 a week against high living costs. Brisbane pays $18,000 more at a considerably lower cost base, which is a strong relocation case. In-house legal counsel in Melbourne at $160,000 is the clearest local step up.
How much does a Senior Lawyer make in Melbourne?
Senior listings run $100,000 to $185,000 with a median of $125,000, from 15 listings. The wide floor suggests the senior label is applied loosely, so the median is more useful than the range. Moving in-house to legal counsel at $160,000 is worth $48,000 over the general lawyer median here.

Other roles in Melbourne

Lawyer salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $112,451 0%
Brisbane $130,000 +16%
Sydney $125,000 +11%

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.